Young Americans invade Balreask Old

The home of Navan rugby club was invaded last night by a large number of young Americans who were at the venue for two unique games against local sides. 

The players from the Xavier High School in Manhattan took on opponents from North Meath/Athboy RFC and Navan RFC in two exhibition rugby encounters. 

In an u-16 contest the New Yorkers defeated North Meath/Athboy 14-10 while in the u-18 clash that followed the Navan selection got the better of the visitors 23-14.

Both games were played on the second pitch at Balreask Old and because of the large amount of rain that fell in the hours leading up to the games the surface quickly turned into a mudbath .  

Xavier, who travelled down from their base in Dublin, took in Navan as part of three-game tour that also included contests in Limerick and Dublin. 

The two games at Balreask Old also attracted people from the Meath area who had relatives playing for the Xavier teams. 

Navan RFC president Gerry Williamson praised the teams involved for their efforts in difficult conditions and said the games were a perfect opportunity for the young players to experience taking on opponents from another "rugby culture." 

Read how a unique night of rugby and Irish-American relations unfolded in next week's Meath Chronicle. There will also be photographs of the evening taken by John Quirke.